BOOM! Studios announced on Tuesday that starting with issue #5, Archaia’s Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance comic series will have an all-new creative team. Currently helmed by writer Nicole Andelfinger (Adventure Time) and artist Matias Basla (Sparrowhawk), the series will be taken over by writer Adam Cesare and artist French Carlomagno starting in January 2020.
In the new arc, fan favorite podling Hup and a brand new character named Barfinnious take center stage. For those who haven’t watched The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix, Hup is a podling cook who dreams of becoming a paladin. In the TV series, he teams up with gelfling Deet to take on the Skeksis. In the new comics arc, he meets Barfinnious, a chivalrous bard, who comes to Hup’s village with tales of former glory. Intrigued, Hup leaves home to follow him, but the further they travel, the more Hup begins to question whether Barfinnious is truly who he claims to be.
“I watched The Dark Crystal so many times as a kid that our VHS player ate the tape. To get to help tell a story in that world is beyond humbling,” said Cesare in a statement. “This brand new story about Barfinnious and Hup is one that I don’t think fans of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will be expecting. It’s full of swashbuckling heart and humor, but struck through with that tiny hint of darkness that draws fans to Thra.”
Also in a statement, Carlomagno added, “I’m super excited to work on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Each character is so beautiful and deeply realized, and I really love the atmosphere of the series!”
Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance #5 (of 12) features a main cover by illustrator Mona Finden and a variant connecting cover by artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews (R.L. Stine’s Just Beyond). The issue hits shelves January 15, 2020; you can check out the cover art and a sneak peek at the interior art below.